Xi Shi (simplified: 西施, traditional: 西施, pinyin: Xī Shī, jyutping: sai1 si1), also known as Xizi (西子) and Shenyu (沉鱼 — “Sinking Fish”), was one of the Four Beauties of ancient China. Her real name was said to be Shi Yiguang (施夷光 — Shī Yíguāng). She was born in 503 BCE and died in 473 BCE, originally from Zhuji (诸暨, present-day Zhuji County, Shaoxing, Zhejiang) in the State of Yue. She was Fan Li’s lover and was sent as tribute to King Fuchai of Wu to seduce him and weaken the Wu state, playing a crucial role in King Goujian’s strategy for revenge against Wu.
Biography
Early life and relationship with Fan Li
Xi Shi was a great beauty from the State of Yue who became Fan Li’s lover. Their relationship was deep and genuine, but it would be tested by the political needs of the Yue state.
Being sent to Wu
As part of King Goujian’s strategy to weaken the Wu state, Xi Shi was sent as tribute to King Fuchai of Wu. This was a calculated political move designed to distract Fuchai from his governmental duties and weaken Wu’s leadership through seduction.
Despite the pain of separation from Fan Li, Xi Shi accepted this role, demonstrating her commitment to Yue’s cause and her willingness to sacrifice personal happiness for the greater good of her state.
Life in the Wu palace
Xi Shi lived in the Guanwa Palace (馆娃宫), also known as the Palace of Beautiful Women, where King Fuchai built a long corridor specifically to better listen to the music of her footsteps. Her presence in the Wu court was designed to captivate Fuchai and distract him from governance.
Her life in Wu was marked by luxury and attention, but also by separation from Fan Li and the knowledge that she was part of a larger strategic plan.
Reunion with Fan Li
After Yue’s victory over Wu, Fan Li led a thousand swordsmen into the Guanwa Palace to rescue Xi Shi. Their reunion was emotional and joyous, as they had been separated for years while she served in the Wu court.
Fan Li called out “Yiguang, Yiguang!” as he searched for her, and when they finally met, they embraced and poured out their hearts about their longing for each other since they had parted.
Confrontation with Aqing
Xi Shi’s reunion with Fan Li was interrupted when Aqing, the shepherdess who had developed romantic feelings for Fan Li, arrived at the palace intent on killing her rival. Aqing fought her way through two thousand imperial guards to reach Xi Shi.
However, when Aqing finally confronted Xi Shi with her bamboo stick pointed at the beauty’s heart, she was overwhelmed by Xi Shi’s extraordinary beauty and goodness. Understanding why Fan Li loved Xi Shi so deeply, Aqing abandoned her murderous intent and departed forever.
The hand on the heart
Although Aqing did not strike Xi Shi, the qi exerted from the tip of her bamboo stick had stabbed Xi Shi’s heart. Xi Shi put a hand on her heart, and for over two thousand years, people regarded “Xi Shi’s hand on her heart” as the most beautiful image in the world.
Later life
After their reunion, Fan Li and Xi Shi planned to leave together. Fan Li said, “We’ll change into commoner clothes. I’ll go boating with you on Lake Tai and we’ll never return here.” This represented their escape from political obligations and their choice to pursue personal happiness together.
Personality and traits
Extraordinary beauty
Xi Shi was renowned for her extraordinary beauty, which was so remarkable that even Aqing, who had come to kill her, was overwhelmed by it. Her beauty was legendary, making her one of the Four Beauties of ancient China.
Sacrifice and loyalty
Xi Shi demonstrated remarkable sacrifice and loyalty by accepting her role as tribute to King Fuchai of Wu. Despite her love for Fan Li, she was willing to serve Yue’s strategic interests, showing her commitment to her state’s cause.
Virtue and goodness
Xi Shi’s virtue and goodness were evident even to her would-be assassin. Aqing recognised Xi Shi’s superior beauty and virtue, acknowledging that she was more beautiful than Fan Li had described and ultimately choosing not to harm her.
Relationships
Fan Li
Xi Shi’s primary relationship was with Fan Li, who was her lover and the man she was separated from when sent to Wu. Their reunion after Yue’s victory represented the successful culmination of years of planning and sacrifice.
King Fuchai of Wu
Xi Shi’s relationship with King Fuchai was strategic rather than genuine. She was sent to seduce and distract him, using her beauty to weaken Wu’s leadership and contribute to Yue’s eventual victory.
Aqing
Xi Shi’s relationship with Aqing was complex. Initially, Aqing saw her as a rival to be eliminated, but their final confrontation became a moment of transformation when Aqing recognised Xi Shi’s extraordinary beauty and virtue.
Behind the scenes
Historical significance
Xi Shi was a historical figure, one of the Four Beauties of ancient China. Her story has been told and retold throughout Chinese history, and Jin Yong’s version in Sword of the Yue Maiden adds the element of her relationship with Fan Li and the confrontation with Aqing.
There are multiple theories about Xi Shi’s fate after Wu’s destruction:
- She reunited with Fan Li and they sailed away together on Lake Tai, never to return
- Wu people, blaming her for the state’s destruction, drowned her in a leather bag in the river
- Fan Li pushed her into Lake Tai and drowned her
- Goujian, considering her a threat, had her drowned after destroying Wu
- She died in the chaos of battle
- She committed suicide in the Guanwa Palace, torn between completing her mission and feeling guilty about betraying Fuchai
The most romantic version, where she reunites with Fan Li, reflects people’s unwillingness to accept a tragic end for such a legendary beauty.
Literary significance
Xi Shi’s character represents the intersection of beauty, politics, and personal sacrifice. Her story demonstrates how individuals could be used as political tools while also showing the power of genuine love and virtue to overcome even the most determined enemies.
The image of “Xi Shi’s hand on her heart” has become one of the most iconic images in Chinese literature, representing both physical beauty and emotional depth. The idiom “Xi Shi covering her heart” (西子捧心) refers to her habit of holding her hand to her heart due to a heart condition, which was considered an expression of ultimate beauty.
Historical sources
The information in this article is based on historical records including:
docs/fetched-data/SYM_20251101_083557/人物/西施_20251101_001740.json- Primary source for biographical details, dates, and historical eventsdocs/references/historical-glossary.md- Reference for historical context and terminologydocs/references/sym-terms.md- Reference for Chinese names and terms
Key historical texts referenced include:
- Spring and Autumn Annals of Wu and Yue (Wuyue Chunqiu - 吴越春秋)
- Records of Yue (Yuejue Shu - 越绝书)
- Various classical Chinese literary works
Portrayals
See also
- Fan Li — Xi Shi’s lover
- Aqing — The shepherdess who confronted Xi Shi
- King Goujian — The king who sent Xi Shi to Wu
- King Fuchai of Wu — The Wu king to whom Xi Shi was sent
- Sword of the Yue Maiden characters